Amnesty International’s Video Creates a False Impression of Protest Repression in Mexico

The human rights NGO published a post on X this Friday urging Mexican authorities to 'uphold the right to protest for all groups and families demonstrating' during the World Cup. However, the statement was accompanied by a misleading video lacking any crucial context. 

Against the backdrop of the FIFA World Cup, two distinctive protests is taking place in Mexico City. The teacher’s union, the National Coordinating Committee of Education Workers (CNTE), is known for its violent protest tactics. For several weeks, they have been threatening to boycott the World Cup if their demands aren’t met. This is despite the fact that President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration has been open to negotiations. The government has also been transparent in stating that it is unable to deliver on some of these demands, though they remain willing to find a reasonable solution. While several rounds of talks have taken place and the government has offered multiple proposals to meet their demands, the  union has rejected all of them, choosing instead to continue their violent protests and cause disruption in the city.  

Just three days before the World Cup inauguration match, the Mexican authorities intercepted a passenger bus heading to Mexico City to join the teacher’s union protest, discovering 59 homemade explosives on board. 

The Mexican authorities have always expressed their respect for peaceful protests, asserting that the police will only intervene when a protest turns violent, following a protocol that respects human rights. President Claudia Sheinbaum has continuously stated that some of those protesting violently are trying to provoke the government into a repressive response; however, she assured the press that this won’t happen, as she is betting on reaching a solution through negotiations. 

The other protest is being carried out by family members of the disappeared, aiming to raise awareness about the country’s “disappearance crisis” and “lack of government support.” These protests have been peaceful; the only incident with police occurred on Wednesday night when protesters were prevented from reaching the Mexico City Stadium to hold a demonstration in the hours leading up to the opening match. 

By order of FIFA, a security perimeter of 1.5 to 3 km has been implemented around all host stadiums.

In their X post, Amnesty International highlighted the awareness campaign of the families of the disappeared. However, in the video, they inserted images of the police blocking access to the vicinity of the Mexico City Stadium alongside footage of the teacher’s union protests. By taking these events out of context, the human rights NGO’s call to the Mexican authorities lacks merit.

Currently, the Mexican government faces an onslaught from the right-wing opposition, aided by the international right-wing, with the ultimate goal of  destabilizing President Sheinbaum’s government. 

Photo: Gemini AI